Cushion structure



Feb. 10, 1942. H, E, wlLLlAMs 2,272,493

CUSHION STRUCTURE Filed April 29, 1938 Patented Feb. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CUSHION STRUCTURE Harold E. Williams, Carthage, Mo.

Application April 29, 1938, Serial No. 205,039

3 Claims.

A sofas, inner spring mattresses, and the like.

My invention relates to the type of cushion l structures in which springs, usually of the coiled vertical kind, support an upholstered cushioning pad, the parts being arranged to form a self contained unit.

The object of my invention is to provide novel means inserted between the pad and the springs for retaining the springs properly positioned and to keep the pad from working between and into the springs.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a. pad support of the kind described which is simple, cheap to make, strong, durable, not likely to get out of order, which is flexible and longitudinally extensible and contractible and efcient in its operation.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates my invention,

Fig. 1 is a top view, partly broken away and partly in section of a cushion structure embodying my improved pad supportl and adapted for useasaseat.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on 2-2 of Fig. 1.4 y

Fig. 3 is a plan view of my'improved flexible ladder-like extensible and contractible pad support, partly broken away.

Fig. 4 is a plan view, partly broken away of another-form of the invention in which the ladderlike pad support, not extensible and contractible, is shown supported by and anchored to some of the springs of a unit.

Fig. 5 is an edge view of a portion of the pad support shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Similar characters of reference designate simila'r parts in the different views.

The cushion structure comprises a base I, of suitable material, as wood or metal, 2 usual vertical coil springs supported on the base I and covered by a layer of padding material, as cotton, which forms a cushioning pad 3, which in turn is covered and held in place by a sheet of suitable upholstery material 4, which extends downwardly and is attached at its lower edge portions to the four edges of the base I. The parts just described comprise a usual cushion the plane-of the line bolstered furniture, as chairs, car seats and the like.

My invention is designed to prevent the padding material 3 from working into and between the springs 2, and it consists of a flexible ladderlike support between the springs 2 and the pad 3, resting on the springs 2 and supporting the pad 3.

I have shown in the drawing two forms of such ladder-like pad supports which are included in my invention. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the support comprises a longitudinal row of members, preferably resilient steel or brass wires, having transverse portions 5 of like length, disposed spaced apart side by side in the same plane, and movablein said plane toward and from each other, said members having each lateral end portions which form arms 6 respectively terminating in eyes 1. The resilient members are ilexibly coupled together by having the arms 6 slidably and pivotally mounted in the adjacent eyes 'I of the adjacent members, whereby a ladder-like support is provided which is extensible and contractible, and is of such dimensions as to nearly cover the area over the springs 2.

To prevent the members of the pad support rubbing on the springs 2, a sheet of fabric, as canvas or burlap 8, is disposed between the springs 2 and the pad support, Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 3, which shows a part of the pad support shown in Fig. 1, a. portion is shown extended and a portion contracted. This pad support is, thus adjustable as to length to suit diierent lengths of seats or backs.

The structure shown in Fig. 4 corresponds generally to the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, excepting that the lateral arms 6|', corresponding to the arms 6, are slightly inwardly bent and have their eyes 1 receiving the transverse portions 5 which are next adjacent thereto. In the form shown in Fig. 4, the pad support is not extensible and contractible, as is the pad shown in Figs. 1 and 3, but the modes of operation of the two pad supports are substantially alike. In both forms, the pad supports are exible, so as to conform to the positions the springs 2 take under varying weights carried thereby.

For anchoring the pad supports to the top coils of the springs 2 annular clips 9 encircle some of the arms 6-6 and adjacent coils of the springs 2. To hold the supports from sliding, and to better hold the springs 2 from spreading, some of the clips 9 are extended through some of the eyes structure employed for seats and backs of up- I of the arms vIi, as shown inFig. 1.

With the use of both forms of pad supports shown, the pad 3 will be efliciently heldirom crowding between or into the springs 2.

In both forms of my invention, the eyes 1--1 are slightly tilted from the horizontal, as shown in Fig 5, to permit the extension therethrough of the adjacent members.

In both forms of my invention, the transverse portions of the members i are straight and extend the width of the ladder-like support, and the arms 6 and 6 are disposed in two parallel rows, whereby the pad support forms a rectangle with parallel end and side edges, thus adapting it to the usual form of pad and assemblage of springs. l

By having the ladder-like pad support provided with members having straight transverse portions 5 of like length and ending in lateral arms 6, as in Figs. 3, and 6', as in Fig. 4, the side and end edges of the support are continuous and have no recesses, thus preventing padding resting thereon from crowding downwardly between the members at either the side or end edges of the support.

In the form of pad support, shown in Fig. 3, by having the arms 6 slidable in the eyes 1, as shown and described, the pad support is collapsible into a minimum of space, for convenience in its storing or shipment.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, the transverse portions 5 are adjustable in one fixed plane, as the horizontal, toward and from each other, whereby to whatever positions they may be adjusted they will be disposed at like heights, and

the pad support will be inilat form, without inf more of the members, with relation to some of the coil springs 2, to which the members may be fastened, Without disturbing the other members.

Other modifications, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a. cushion structure, a ladder-like pad support comprising a longitudinal row o( members having portions transverse to the row disposed spaced apart side by side in the same longitudinal plane and movable in said plane to- .ward and from each other, each of said members having portions at the ends of its transverse portion extending transversely therefrom in the said plane to form two arms, said arms of said members being disposed lengthwise in two parallel rows transverse to said transverse portions, and means on said arms providing limited sliding holding engagement lengthwise with the adjacent arms of the adjacent ones of said members.

2. In a cushion structure, a ladder-like pad support comprising a longitudinal row of members having portions transverse to the row disposed spaced apart side by side in the same longitudinal plane and movable in said plane toward and from each other, each of said members having portions at the ends ofits transverse portion extending transversely therefrom in the said plane to form two arms each terminating in an eye, said arms of said members being disposed lengthwise in two parallel rows transverse to said transverse portions. and slidable lengthwise in the adjacent eyes of the adjacent ones of said members.

3. A pad support of the kind described, comprising a row of members having portions spaced apart side by said in a longitudinal plane and transverse to said row, each of said members, at the ends, of its transverse portion, having portions extending transversely in said plane from said ends to form two arms, said arms of said members being disposed in two parallel longitudinal rows, and means providing limited sliding engagement of the said arms with said arms adjacent thereto, by which each member can be adjusted in a straight line lengthwise of the row, without having to adjust the other members.

HAROLD E. WILLIAMS. i 

